Podcast: A Wild NFL Playoff Plan

The San Diego Chargers survived a wild Week 17 game to make the playoffs.

Have too many mediocre teams playing on wild-card weekend made for a tame slate of games? Kevin Clark joins the Sports Retort to point out that over the last two season, only a quarter of the games on the first weekend of the NFL playoffs have been decided by seven points or fewer. This is compared to nearly 50% of regular season games within one score over the past decade. How could we make this more exciting? We consider the possibilities of a World Cup draw for the NFL.

SPORTS, THE JOURNAL WAY

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In baseball, there is a long-standing tradition of pro teams inviting college teams to play them in preseason exhibitions. A look at this odd tradition, and the awkward, no-win situations it creates for the pros.